“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”
Dr. Lewis Smedes
When I was scrolling through my social media account I saw a post saying, “Is it required to forgive someone during new year and Christmas? I don’t want to because I want to be angry (at them) every year.” Even if it was said as a joke, I find it melancholic because it made me think of things that would have made our hearts so hard that we refuse to forgive one another and to restore the relationship we had. Not forgiving means allowing ourselves to be hurt, keeping the resentments and grudges in our minds, and holding ourselves from loving and healing. Most of us think that forgiving is just one act, that is why we can never forgive because we think that it is a one-time event that we must do once. However, forgiving takes courage and willingness because it is a process.
In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” This shows that the times we forgive does not matter but the acts of being forgiving even for things that seem to be unforgivable do. It is because even the Lord chose to forgive us and show mercy. Thus, if the Lord forgave us, what is must keep us from forgiving one another?
Therefore we must keep in mind that we must bear with each other and forgive one another if any of us has a grievance against someone. (Colossians 3:13) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
We should keep in mind that forgiving is not about the people who hurt us but about ourselves – that we are ready to be healed and to restore the relationship we had. Only then we can love. In the book of Dr. Jim Dincalci, “How to Forgive When We Can’t,” he said that forgiving is the ultimate choice that brings us closest to the human and divine ideal of peace and love. Likewise, not forgiving can bring us to despair.
It is also important to reconcile with our Lord. Our greatest need in life is a relationship with God. May this article give you courage and enlightenment.
Article By Chlarisse Kayt
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